Mrs

[angelashepherd]

I would like an answer to a question I have that is troubling me. When my brother-inlaw was dying, but not yet dead, altho his heart had stopped a number of times and he was recustitated, I was asked by members of his family who were not Catholic, altho my husband, his brother is, to Babtize him. I did not ask them to let me do it but they asked me to do it for they thought it would help him, I think mostly to die in peace. He was never babtized in any relegion altho I thought perhaps he had been in the LDS church the family said no that he was never babtized in any church. So I had a bottle of Holy Water from Lourdes which I have with me all the time as I take Communion to the sick in their homes and ask if they want to use it. Anyway after I babtized him I left and went to my church and told Fr. what I had done. After I got home my husband was there and told me that his brother had died about 15 minutes after the babtism, so I would like to know if since his heart had stopped so many times, and they had taken him off life support because there was no brain funtion, was he babtized or not. I had thought so at the time but now I wounder about this. Do I still pray for his soul wherever it is or can one be assured that all his sins were forgiven and that he is in heaven or should I still pray for him if he is in Purgatory? I am very troubled about this so if there is a Priest who can say whether I did it right or if it was of no use. My grandson drowned a few years ago and was never babtized and my priest at the time to leave it to God’s mercy. Perhaps that is the answer for this too. Thankyou for your help.

 

[mosher]

God’s mercy is where it should be left because the question of when the soul leaves the body is an ever increasing difficult question in perspective of ever increasing scientific discovery on this issue. Your actions where in the right place and in this instance that is what should be considered so you should put your mind to ease.

 

[Brendan]

You did a very wonderful thing, and rest assured, your brother in law went straight to heaven.

Since your brother in law as still alive at the time of the baptism, it means his soul was still present (the soul is what animates the body).

As long as the forumula was correct ( baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), there is no reason at all to think this was anything other than a Valid, Sacramental Baptism.

A Sacramental Baptism removes all sin and all temporal effects of sin, so your BIL went straight to heaven.

Thank you for saving a soul.

 

[angelashepherd]

Thank you so much for your answer. I belong to a group who offer Masses for the souls in purgatory, so I have been praying for all the dead, those I have never known and probably those unknown to all except to God alone. Again thank you so much

 

[stbruno]

We teach baptism classes,and yes you validly baptized your bro-in-law. Even if one does not have Holy Water, you can use ordinary tap water and baptize a person in case of emergency. You performed one of the most lifesaving sacraments. Baptism takes away original as well as all sin. That is why this sacrament is life-saving. He was alive, therefore he was able to receive this sacrament. The form is necessary…Baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit while pouring the water over the head of the person. God bless you. You can be rest assured that you did all things properly. Your bro-in-law will probably thank you when he sees you in heaven as well.

 

[Brendan]

stbruno:

…Baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit while pouring the water over the head of the person. .

The water must flow over the person’s skin, and the head is the preffered location,

But the Baptism is still 100% valid if water flowed over any part of the skin at all.

(This is not intended to nitpic, but only so Angleshepard can be certain of her BIL’s salvation)

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Brendan:

The water must flow over the person’s skin, and the head is the preffered location,

But the Baptism is still 100% valid if water flowed over any part of the skin at all.

(This is not intended to nitpic, but only so Angleshepard can be certain of her BIL’s salvation)

Do you have a reference for that? The instructions I have seen say it must flow on the head.

 

[Brendan]

That came from the “Sacraments of Introduction” course at the Seminary (I’m at Diaconate Student)

The text used was “Sacraments and their Celebration”. I have my notes on my computer, but the book is at home. The relevant section is Celebration of Baptism - Preparation.

My notes say

“Water is normally poured on the head three times, one time is sufficent for validity and water must flow over the skin, While the head is normative, as it is the seat of the acceptance of Baptism, pouring over any skin is all that is required for validity”

Here is what shows up on line

1929 “New Catholic Dictionary”

The chief effects of this sacrament are:
the impression of a character or seal by which we are incorporated with Christ (Galatians 3; 1st Corinthians 6);

regeneration and remission of original sin (and actual if necessary), as well as punishment due to sin, and infusion of sanctifying grace (with its gifts). Baptism is administered by pouring water on the head of the candidate, saying at the same time,

I baptize thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
with the intention of Christ or His Church. The water must flow over the skin.

Here’s some a bit more from Fr. Mateo’s website

cin.org/mateo/form-baptism.html

Theologians declare what is and is not requisite for the matter and form of each sacrament. They teach and the Church affirms, that the water must flow upon the skin of the baptizand. If the water splatters and does not flow, prudence declares the sacramental sign is doubtful and must be repeated. So a prudent pastor is very careful. And if the water doesn’t flow, he tries again. No problem.

 

[angelashepherd]

I poured the water over his head while saying, Moses Hyrum Shepherd, I babtize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The water ran down the side of his head so I wiped it with a napkin. He did not seem to know what was happening though but I tried to do the best I could for him.I wasn’t sure if I was to say his full name or not so I did. Either way I beleive he is with our Lord now and these last few days I have been sort of talking, well not talking as we do but telling him I will pray for his children and ask him to pray for my son too. Again thank you for your help in this matter, God Bless you all.